JGTO Abroad: Hoshino trails Frittelli by nine on penultimate day in Bahrain

Rikuya Hoshino could only move up by one spot to a tied 26th after signing for a modest third-round even-par 72 at the Bahrain Championship on Saturday.

The sole surviving Japanese competitor traded three birdies against as many bogeys to reach the 54-hole mark at three-under 213, nine shots back of South African leader Dylan Frittelli.

Frittelli continued to play solidly in testing conditions and carded a 69 to open up a two-shot lead over his second-placed compatriot, Ockie Strydom.

As it stands, Hoshino has a four-shot deficit to make up in the final round if he is to bid for a top 10 finish.